KnowraFeigned retreatFeigned retreatA military deception in which a force pretends to flee, drawing an enemy into pursuit, disorder, or an ambush.BriefConnectAmbush: A surprise attack launched from concealment against an enemy moving through a vulnerable position. A feigned retreat can lead pursuers into a position prepared for a sudden attack.Battle of Hastings: The 1066 battle in which William, duke of Normandy, defeated Harold Godwinson's English army. Norman forces made repeated withdrawals that induced some English troops to leave their defensive position.Retreat: The organized movement of military forces away from an enemy or position. A feigned retreat imitates this broader maneuver while concealing an offensive purpose.Parthian Empire: An ancient Iranian empire that rivaled Rome from the third century BCE to the third century CE. Parthian cavalry made deceptive withdrawal and missile fire central to its reputation in war.Pursuit: The attempt to overtake and attack a withdrawing or defeated enemy force. The deception succeeds when the enemy commits to chasing the apparent flight.Battle of Jaxartes: A battle in 329 BCE in which Alexander the Great defeated Scythian forces near the Jaxartes River. Alexander's cavalry used a feigned withdrawal to draw Scythian horsemen into attack range.Rout: The disorderly flight of troops after their formation or resistance collapses. A rout is genuine loss of control, unlike a feigned retreat's planned appearance of flight.Mongol Empire: The empire founded by Genghis Khan that became the largest contiguous land empire in history. Mongol armies used feigned flight as part of highly coordinated campaigns of conquest.Disengagement: The deliberate breaking of contact between opposing forces. A genuine withdrawal must look plausible before the retreat can be feigned.Battle of Manzikert: The 1071 battle in which Seljuk forces defeated the Byzantine army led by Emperor Romanos IV. Seljuk mounted archers used mobile attacks and withdrawals against Byzantine forces.Show all 20Linked from 13 pagesBattle of MohiBroader topic: The Mongols used apparent withdrawal to pull Hungarian troops from their defended camp.Battle of AusterlitzRelated: Napoleon’s apparent weakness encouraged the Allies to attack his right and leave the center exposed.SubutaiRelated: Mongol commanders used controlled retreats to disrupt formations and expose pursuing forces.Mounted archeryRelated: Mounted archers could use withdrawal to stretch enemy formations and expose them to attack.Mongol horse archersRelated: Mongol riders used apparent flight to stretch enemy formations before turning to attack.Battle of HarranRelated: The Seljuk withdrawal drew part of the Crusader army into a pursuit that exposed it to attack.Hungarian invasions of EuropeRelated: Magyar forces used deceptive withdrawals to break formations and expose pursuing troops.Battle of KircholmRelated: Chodkiewicz used a staged withdrawal to draw Swedish troops downhill into combat.Show all 13